Liquid cooling arrangement for industrial furnaces

Abstract

A liquid cooling system for thermally highly stressed parts of an industrial furnace consists of cooling channels, arranged essentially vertically and through which liquid flows and by-pass openings arranged at the upper end of the cooling channels for the direct passage of cooling liquid, by-passing the cooling channels. According to the dimensions of the by-pass openings, steam or gas bubbles are removed from the cooling system in a simple fashion and, at the same time, the cooling liquid which passes through the cooling channels and is heated is cooled by the cooling liquid flowing directly through the by-pass openings, before it again enters the next cooling channels. The by-pass opening(s) are formed by connecting tubes, or they are arranged in a cooling liquid distribution chamber, into which the cooling channels pass. With this liquid cooling arrangement, a practically unlimited number of cooling channels can be arranged in series, the cooling channels being formed in various fashions and being adaptable to the respective shape fo the furnace parts to be cooled, depending on the intended application.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. In an industrial furnace having thermally highly stressed parts including furnace walls, cover frames; door frames and gas removal nozzles, a liquid cooling system for said thermally highly stress parts, said system comprising: first flow means defining at least two pairs of first and second substantially vertical cooling channels having top and bottom ends;   first conduit means connecting the bottom ends of said first and second channels for providing flow communication therebetween;   second by-pass conduit means connecting the top ends of said first and second cooling channels of each said channel pair;   inlet means providing cooling fluid flow to the top of said first channel of one said channel pair;   third conduit means providing fluid flow between the tops of first and second channels of adjacent channel pairs; and   outlet means providing fluid outflow from the top of said second channel of a channel pair,   whereby cooling fluid from said inlet means and said third conduit means divides so as to flow into said first channel of one said channel pair, and to flow into said second conduit means thereby by-passing said channels, and whereby said fluid from said channels and said by-passed fluid mix in a succeeding said third conduit means and in said outlet means,   wherein said system further comprises a cooling liquid distribution chamber into which the tops of said channels extend, said distribution chamber including a fluid inlet at a first end, a fluid outlet at a second end and baffles defining by-pass openings at the top thereof, each said baffle being positioned between the tops of said first and second channels of each said pair of channels, whereby the portions of said distribution chamber between said baffles comprise said third conduit means and said by-pass openings comprise said second by-pass conduit means,   wherein said pairs of cooling channels each consist of a tube closed at the bottom, wherein a partition is arranged centrally and extends in the longitudinal direction of said tube, said partition terminating at a distance from the lower end of said tube, thereby defining said first and second channels and defining said first conduit means at a bottom of said tube.   
     
     
       2. Liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom of said tube is closed with a domed cover. 
     
     
       3. Liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each said partition and baffle are formed in one piece. 
     
     
       4. In an industrial furnace having thermally highly stressed parts including furnace walls, cover frames; door frames and gas removal nozzles, a liquid cooling system for said thermally highly stress parts, said system comprising: first flow means defining at least two pairs of first and second substantially vertical cooling channels having top and bottom ends;   first conduit means connecting the bottom ends of said first and second channels for providing flow communication therebetween;   second by-pass conduit means connecting the top ends of said first and second cooling channels of each said channel pair;   inlet means providing cooling fluid flow to the top of said first channel of one said channel pair;   third conduit means providing fluid flow between the tops of first and second channels of adjacent channel pairs; and   outlet means providing fluid outflow from the top of said second channel of a channel pair,   whereby cooling fluid from said inlet means and said third conduit means divides so as to flow into said first channel of one said channel pair, and to flow into said second conduit means thereby by-passing said channels, and whereby said fluid from said channels and said by-passed fluid mix in a succeeding said third conduit means and in said outlet means,   wherein said system further comprises a cooling liquid distribution chamber into which the tops of said channels extend, said distribution chamber including a fluid inlet at a first end, a fluid outlet at a second end and baffles defining by-pass openings at the top thereof, each said baffle being positioned between the tops of said first and second channels of each said pair of channels, whereby the portions of said distribution chamber between said baffles comprise said third conduit means and said by-pass openings comprise said second by-pass conduit means, and wherein said by-pass openings define, singly or in groups, stepwise larger passages in the direction of flow of said cooling liquid.   
     
     
       5. In an industrial furnace having thermally highly stressed parts including furnace walls, cover frames; door frames and gas removal nozzles, a liquid cooling system for said thermally highly stress parts, said system comprising: first flow means defining at least two pairs of first and second substantially vertical cooling channels having top and bottom ends;   first conduit means connecting the bottom ends of said first and second channels for providing flow communication therebetween;   second by-pass conduit means connecting the top ends of said first and second cooling channels of each said channel pair;   inlet means providing cooling fluid flow to the top of said first channel of one said channel pair;   third conduit means providing fluid flow between the tops of first and second channels of adjacent channel pairs; and   outlet means providing fluid outflow from the top of said second channel of a channel pair,   whereby cooling fluid from said inlet means and said third conduit means divides so as to flow into said first channel of one said channel pair, and to flow into said second conduit means thereby by-passing said channels, and whereby said fluid from said channels and said by-passed fluid mix in a succeeding said third conduit means and in said outlet means,   wherein said system further comprises a cooling liquid distribution chamber into which the tops of said channels extend, said distribution chamber including a fluid inlet at a first end, a fluid outlet at a second end and baffles defining by-pass openings at the top thereof, each said baffle being positioned between the tops of said first and second channels of each said pair of channels, whereby the portions of said distribution chamber between said baffles comprise said third conduit means and said by-pass openings comprise said second by-pass conduit means, wherein said by-pass openings are defined between upper edges of said baffles and an upper wall of said cooling liquid distribution chamber.   
     
     
       6. Liquid cooling system as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein said pairs of cooling channels are each formed from a tube bent in a U-shape, the upper ends of which lead into said coolng liquid distribution chamber. 
     
     
       7. Liquid cooling system as claimed in claims 4 or 5 wherein said cooling liquid distribution chamber is inclined upwards with respect to the horizontal in the direction of flow of the cooling liquid. 
     
     
       8. The system of claim 4 or 5 wherein each said pair of cooling channels comprise: an outer tube having a top fixed to a bottom of said distribution chamber and a closed dome shaped bottom; and   an inner tube having a top fixed to one of said baffles and an open bottom.   
     
     
       9. The system of claim 4 or 5 wherein said cooling channels are integral with the wall of the flue gas draw off nozzle of said furnace for cooling said nozzle. 
     
     
       10. In an industrial furnace having thermally highly stressed parts including furnace walls, cover frames; door frames and gas removal nozzles, a liquid cooling system for said thermally highly stress parts, said system comprising: a tube bent in a U-shape and defining at least two pairs of first and second substantially vertical cooling channels having top and bottom ends;   said bent tube further defining first conduit means connecting the bottom ends of said first and second channels for providing flow communication therebetween;   a connecting tube defining a second by-pass conduit means connecting the top ends of said first and second cooling channels of each said channel pair and short circuiting said bent tube;   inlet means providing cooling fluid flow to the top of said first channel of one said channel pair;   third conduit means providing fluid flow between the tops of first and second channels of adjacent channel pairs; and   outlet means providing fluid outflow from the top of said second channel of a channel pair,   whereby cooling fluid from said inlet means and said third conduit means divides so as to flow into said first channel of one said channel pair, and to flow into said second conduit means thereby by-passing said channels, and whereby said fluid from said channels and said by-passed fluid mix in a succeeding said third conduit means and in said outlet means.   
     
     
       11. The system of claim 1, 4 or 5 or 10 wherein said by-pass conduit means are dimensioned, relative to said channels, such that the fluid flow through said by-pass conduit means is smaller than the fluid flow through said channels. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 1, 4 or 5 or 10 wherein said by-pass conduit means are dimensioned, relative to said channels, such that the fluid flow through said by-pass conduit means is at least as large as the fluid flow through said channels. 
     
     
       13. The system of claim 1 or 4 or 5 or 10 wherein said cooling channels are positioned adjacent said thermally stressed parts for cooling said parts. 
     
     
       14. The system of claim 13 wherein said channels are positioned above a level of a material in said furnace.